Ok, I gotta bring up this topic. It might have been beaten to death in the past but I'm clueless about it, and figure some other newbies around here must be also.
How can us stock Xterra owners (ie: no ARB or rear tow hitch) prepare ourselves for the eventuality of needing a pull from somebody's winch or tow strap? I won't get an ARB until/if I trash my bumper, and I'm not crazy about the idea of getting a tow hitch since I'll never tow anything and I'm not crazy about the decreased angles back there because of it (unless this is the best/only answer).
A couple of things I've seen over the last few months have me curious, of course now I can't remember who did them or what the final verdict was, and I'd like some ideas so I can resolve this issue before next summer's trips.
I saw some pics of somebody who cut holes in their rear bumper, and added something to the frame which had u-bolts on it. Did that suck or not suck?
Somebody else put longer u-bolts right around the shackles. I remember they were orange, but I can't remember who's they were. Suck or not?
And as for the front, I know some people put aftermarket tow hooks on the frame, is that as good as it gets and is that enough?
And finally (I'm like a kid when dad is busy, what's that? what's this do? why are you doing that? who are you talking to? why are you beating me with a shovel?) what item(s) can we use to facilitate attaching somebody's winch cable to our trucks?
For example, could I use a chain with a hook at each end which would hang onto the truck, and the winch cable could grab the chain in the middle, hopefully dividing the stress to both attachment points? What about a superstrong rope?
Thanks.